'Stocks Rising: Are Birkenstocks Back for Good?

I know what you're thinking: "Really, GQ? Birkenstocks? Aren't those reserved for hippies running food co-ops or your friendly '90s-enthusiast Portland barista?" Well, hear me out. 'Stocks are having a moment and, trust me, you're about to see them everywhere.

Divining the fashion clues is key: the classic German sandal has been slowly showing up equally in runway presentations and fashion editorials (like Riccardo Tisci's recently previewed Givenchy pre-Spring '14 collection), the Japanese are crazy for the throwback style (and haven't they been right about everything else in #menswear for the last five years?), hipsters are embracing them in the coolest pockets of Brooklyn and Silver Lake, and, finally, the biggest sign that 'Stocks are about to blow up: J. Crew just started carrying two exclusive styles. So you should probably reach into the back of your closet and dust off those old Arizonas, cause the shoes you thought were dead forever are back. Or, better yet, get some new ones in updated colors like black nubuck or slate grey suede.

But it's not just the old school sandals making the new footwear rounds; looking forward to fall, Birkenstock is launching their "Dundee" desert boot, a style that easily fits in with those covetable racks of Engineered Garments and Beams Plus gear. And while they may be more suited for the #menswear street style illuminati than your average joe right now, you can't argue that this summer could very well be the season of the 'stock.